Chapter 4: Betico Croes and Aruba as a country within the Kingdom
For a long time Aruba was governed from Curaçao as part of the Netherlands Antilles. Many Arubans wanted their own status. This chapter describes how Aruba became a separate country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1986.
Betico Croes and the MEP
The driving force behind the movement was Gilberto "Betico" Croes. On 9 February 1971 he founded the political party Movimiento Electoral di Pueblo (MEP), which campaigned for separation from the Netherlands Antilles.
Flag, anthem and referendum
On 18 March 1976 Aruba adopted its own flag and national anthem, "Aruba Dushi Tera". This day is still celebrated every year as National Anthem and Flag Day. In a referendum on 25 March 1977, about 95% of voters chose separation from the Netherlands Antilles.
Status Aparte
At a Round Table Conference in The Hague in 1983 it was agreed that Aruba would become a separate country within the Kingdom. On 1 January 1986 Aruba received its Status Aparte, together with its own currency, the Aruban florin. Full independence was planned for 1996.
Betico Croes did not see his dream come true: on 31 December 1985, hours before Status Aparte took effect, he was seriously injured in a car accident. He died on 26 November 1986 without regaining consciousness. His birthday, 25 January, is a public holiday: Betico Croes Day.
Independence postponed
In 1990 Aruba asked to postpone independence indefinitely, and in 1995 the planned date was formally removed. Aruba has remained an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands ever since.
Aruba today
Aruba has its own parliament (the Staten, with 21 seats), its own government and its own laws. The King is represented on the island by a governor, and the Kingdom is responsible for matters such as defence and foreign affairs. Tourism is by far the most important part of the economy.
The history of Aruba in four chapters
- Chapter 1: Early Inhabitants and the Spanish
- Chapter 2: Dutch and English Rule
- Chapter 3: Gold, Aloe and Oil
Read more
- Government of Aruba
- Famous Arubans
- Events in Aruba – including Betico Croes Day and Flag Day
Good to know
- MEP founded: 9 February 1971
- Flag and anthem: 18 March 1976
- Referendum: 25 March 1977
- Status Aparte: 1 January 1986
Historical sources do not always agree on exact dates and numbers; this overview follows the most widely supported accounts.
See also: the history of Aruba.
Last updated: September 2026.